Are you looking for something fun to do this summer with the whole family? Well, you might not guess it, but Hamburg has easy access to a large variety of beaches – most reachable within 3 hours by car. And if you have not taken your children to a real sandy beach, this is the summer to give it a try. Kids love the beach and can spend the whole day playing and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. (OK, maybe the rain too). Whether you are simply looking for a day at the beach or a great summer vacation for the family, all is within easy reach when you live in Hamburg. Easy Day Trips The Elbe – Within the city of Hamburg, the Elbe beaches make for a relaxing day close to home. Although you canmot swim in the water, the sandy beaches just downstream from the city’s harbor have a lot to offer for kids and adults. To get there, you can drive along the Elbchausee west of Altona, or you can take the ferry from Landungsbrücken at the Harbor (U2 Landungsbrücken) and get off at Övelgönne. From Övelgönne, you can walk along the beaches until you reach Teufelsbrück. This is a beautiful walk with loads of outdoor cafes and restaurants, great people watching, and beautiful homes along the way. This part of the city is a very special part of “Hamburg life.” For a traditional Hamburg experience, stop at the Strandperle café near Övelgönne and enjoy lunch or a beer while you sit on the beach and watch the container ships float by. Baltic Sea (Ostsee) – The Baltic Sea along Germany’s northern coastline offers many beautiful, idyllic vacation spots; but one of the nicest things about it is the fact that many of its beaches are close enough for a day trip from Hamburg, especially if you live in the northern part of the city. As a child, my husband and his family often went to the beaches around Travemünde for a picnic and evening swim weekdays after Papi finished work. The beaches are plentiful and very convenient for families, with tons of parking within walking distance, Strandkörbe (portable double seat lounge chairs with a roof for shade and foot rest) for rent, and food stands offering hotdogs, fries, ice cream and cold drinks. During July and August, the water heats up to a respectable 20 degrees (Celsius), making it attractive for children and even some adults. From the northern part of Hamburg, it takes about 45 minutes to get to Travemünde and its surrounding beaches. The beaches along this part of the Baltic Sea are not the most beautiful, but they are the most convenient to Hamburg. If you have more time or are looking for a vacation spot, continue east along the coast and you will find beautiful beaches, nature and plenty of accommodation and restaurants. The island of Rügen (a four hour drive into the former East Germany) is a very popular destination for those looking for a quiet, idyllic spot to hole up for a few days to relax.
North Friesian Islands of Sylt, Amrum, etc. – The North Friesian Islands offer some of the most beautiful beaches and scenery to be had in northern Germany. The atmosphere is truly unique with a quiet desolation that makes you feel as though you are at the end of the world. Sylt is the most popular of the islands and, consequently, has the most tourists and the most amenities, including many fabulous restaurants. Part of the reason for this is that Sylt has become a popular destination for Northern Germany’s wealthy jet set. You can avoid this, if it is not your scene, and still enjoy the island. If it is your scene, you will not be disappointed with the gourmet food, people watching, and plethora of shopping options. Still, Sylt feels secluded mainly because it takes a bit of effort to get to. By car, you drive north from Hamburg for about 90 minutes to Niebüll, where you drive your car onto a train that takes you 40 minutes straight out into the ocean until you reach Sylt. Kids will love this! (Note: it costs EUR 78 for the auto train to/from Sylt). You can also get to Sylt by train from Hamburg Hauptbahnhof. Taking long walks on the Watt, or tidal flats, is the thing to do on Sylt when you are not relaxing on the white sandy beaches or enjoying Kaffee und Kuchen at one of its many restaurants. The main town on Sylt is Westerland and is very crowded in the summer. Head north or south to escape the crowds and find more secluded beaches. The website http://www.sylt.de has a lodging search and lots of good information about the island. For something a little quieter and more rustic, try Amrum, also a North Friesian Island. Check out http://www.amrum.de for more information. Danish Coast – The North Sea coast of Denmark is a very popular vacation destination for Germans, especially during the summer months. Consequently, there are thousands of houses along the coast for rent on a weekly basis with reduced rates during the off-season. Denmark’s coast boasts miles and miles of white sandy beaches and incredible sand dunes. It is even warm enough to swim during the summer months. However, always remember to take warm clothes because the North Sea coast is very windy and weather can change quickly at any time of the year. Besides the beach, the coastline is dotted with nature preserves, public swimming pools and family recreational centers. The towns along the Ringkobing Fjord, about half way up the coast from the German border, are a good place to start. Expect the drive to take between three and four hours. To obtain a Ferienhaus catalog and price information, here are a few contacts: Holmsland Klit
Turistforening Esmarch Feriehusudlejning http://www.visitnordsee-kuste.com North Sea/Cuxhaven – At the mouth of the Elbe on its south side you can find North Sea beaches with some of the largest tidal flats in the world. The gigantic tidal flats, quaint villages, and the steady stream of container ships heading out to sea make for a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Cuxhaven is the largest town on the coast and offers a variety of accommodations and large beaches right at the water’s edge. From your hotel balcony, you can watch the people along the boardwalk promenade. About 12 kilometers out into the ocean lies the island of Neuwerk (which actually belongs to the city of Hamburg). This island is reachable on foot, with a horse-drawn wagon or on horseback while the tide is out. During the summer, you can walk the entire way barefoot along the tidal flat. Make sure to have a guide with you as the tide can be very deceiving on its way back in. This is an experience not to miss! To get to Cuxhaven, take the Autobahn A7 through the Elbtunnel and head west on the south side of the Elbe. If you have some extra time, take the long way via Jork to Stade through the Altes Land (a beautiful drive through quaint villages). Things to remember to pack if you are bringing children (and even if you are not):
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By
Dierdre M
Overnighters
or Vacation Destinations